It’s really rewarding to do what you like and like what you do and Tamara Chisolm counts herself fortunate that she has found that fulfillment in her career and life.
Ms. Chisolm is from and lives in Cottageville. She attended Cottageville Elementary and Colleton Middle School and graduated from Walterboro High School. Ms. Tamara commented that “she is very proud of her class. We stick together and like to congregate and just enjoy one another and enjoy life.” After high school Ms Chisolm furthered her education at Trident Technical College and then at Limestone University where she studied healthcare management.
Ms. Tamara has two children ages 26 and 32. One lives in Greenville, and one lives in Summerville. She credits her mother and her late father for the “strong vital role in who I am today.”
Tamara has been with Colleton Medical Center since 1997. She started in outpatient registration. She then moved up to the position of office manager for physical therapy and rehabilitation. Currently she is a Practice Coordinator with the hospital group at CMC. In this position she supervises a group of physicians, making sure their scheduling is done, and billing gets done. All in all, she takes care of the physicians at the hospital. Smiling she enthuses, “I love my job.” She comments that she does not get to interact with patients often, but she really enjoys it when she can. Just then while we were talking a gentleman was walking toward the hospital doors. I did not see him, but Tamara did. She immediately asked if he needed a wheelchair. It was obvious he was experiencing difficulties, and he nodded that he needed help. Ms. Chisolm jumped up from where she was sitting and went to get the man a wheelchair. She enjoys being a team player and helping where she can.
Tamara’s life outside work very much resembles her professional life. She does not have hobbies per se, and what spare time she does have she spends helping others. She started working part time at the Board of Disabilities k/n/a Colleton Cares seven years ago, and she now serves in a Lead Staff role. She also helps with a community center in the Wesley Grove area. It is called The Grove, and it is a charitable organization established some in the community to help the elderly and children in the area. There is a softball field next to the center, and they use it to play softball, kickball, or whatever entertains the children. She is also an active and involved member of Mount Zion AME Church pastored by Reverend Trad C. Williams.
It was time to ask the $64,000 question of what she would do if time and money were no obstacle. Reflecting her desire to help others she responded, “I would open a shelter of my own, for women and children, especially battered women and children. I have a passion for kids, and it really breaks my heart to hear anything about something that has happened to a child. So, I think we do have a real big need to make sure that we are helping women and children, and not necessarily just women and children, anybody that needs help. I mean assistance with getting jobs, getting to doctor’s appointments, and education.”
It is people like Tamara Chisolm who strengthen communities by giving so much of their time and themselves, and our communities are much better for it.
